Elway Retirement Party Raises $1 Million
Author: Shery McDonald
Publication: Rocky Mountain News
Date: September 26, 1999

If you're going to retire, retire John Elway-style. Elway, along with 1,400 of his closest friends and family members, celebrated his retirement earlier this month at the National Western Event Center and raised $$ 1 million for the Elway Foundation and the Denver Broncos Charity Fund. With friends Sharon Magness and John Beake, general manager of the Denver Broncos, co-chairing the evening's celebration, Elway knew the evening would be as successful as his 16-year career.

Tributes were given during the evening in many forms; videos showing John with his ''cannon'' arm; Roy Firestone singing such songs as You've Got a Friend; Denny Dent entertaining the crowd with a painting of Elway, which sold to Bjorn Erik Borgan for $$ 52,500; a song written by Brandon Cache and performed by Cache and John DeMott called From a Mile High; and handpicked entertainment by John - Glenn Frey and Joe Walsh, formerly of the Eagles. ''I think it's great we're playing tonight,'' said Frey, who didn't mind Elway strumming a little air guitar with the band on stage. ''Especially considering what a big fan I am of John. He's a terrific guy.''

One of the most touching tributes came from Pat Bowlen. As he took the microphone, guests could tell this was going to be an emotional evening for him. ''John became more than just a football player,'' said Bowlen. ''He became more about Colorado, and as he got older, he only got better.'' Bowlen then handed Elway one of the Lombardi trophies and said, ''I have something that belongs to you, John. I can't think of anybody else that deserves it more.''

By the time Elway took the stand, half of the audience was trying to hold back the tears. Elway lightened the moment when he got on stage with the rest of the alumni and said ''It's funny. I'm up here with these guys and I'm the youngest one in the group. I feel like a rookie again. ''

He went on to say the good memories he had were made even more special by the fact that the team traveled a tough road. Elway thanked Edgar Kaiser, former owner of the Broncos, for saving him from playing baseball and thanked Bowlen for giving him the chance to win.

With a tearful thank you, Elway said ''I'm so grateful. I grew up here, my kids have grown up here. It means a lot to me.''

The memories that will last with many guests attending the event will most likely be watching John on the big screen and how comfortable he was with his children taking turns sitting in his lap. Or watching his father, Jack, cry during presentation of the Lombardi trophy. Or, watching Jack win the bid for the live-auction football autographed by his son and then watching Elway throw the ball with young Jack. It was simply the best.

Guests attending the dinner included the Elway family - wife, Janet, and children Jack, Jessie, Jordan, Julianna; Jan Elway, mother; Lee Ann McCarthy, John's sister and her husband Tony and their children, Kylie and Patrick; Janna Sever, John's twin sister, with husband Al and their children Joe and Dana. Other guests included Joan Spencer; Annabel Bowlen; Marcia Beake; Keith Bishop; Kathy Hatch; Darcy Sontag; Gail and Jeff Crawford; Kurt and Jackie Palisi; Cassie and Dennis Engel; Bonnie and Norm Pollom; Nancy McCollum; Miriam and Jerry Frei; Lynn and Steve Rosdal; Arlene and Barry Hirschfeld; Cindy and Steve Farber; Diane and Charlie Gallagher; Jessica and Zee Ferrufino; Phyllis Coors and Dr. Peter Hanson; Judi and Bob Newman; Vicki and Trygve Myhren; Kristina and Jay Davidson; Mary Rossick Kern; and Jeanne and Kit Phillips.